Hey! Welcome to the Dawn of the Regalia story thread! As you may or may not know, I'm letting you create side characters that will be implemented into the story. Sign ups at /333823. Anyways, let the story begin!

Prologue: As You DesireThe sound of skin meeting skin filled the room. Delire stiffened up, gazing at her brother, her king, Furchwille. His toned arm, already back at his side, so quickly as if nothing had happened. Rakel was silent, despite the slap. The dark purple from which she had received a week before was near gone on her fair skin, but noticeable, nonetheless; now t’was to be replaced by a purple more gruesome than before.

“You’re a fool. You know what happens if defy me and spout the nonsense you do.” Rakel said nothing, but, as Delire had learned within the past two years of knowing the brunette is that she was always thinking, she always had plan. Perchance, this is why Furchwille loathed her so.

“Your Majesty,” Rakel now spoke, her voice calm and unaffected from what had just happened, but her silver eyes said otherwise, “I only suggest that you repel the tax upon the common folk, many of which are completely loyal to yours truly. The DraKaui and the Aura Readers can be taxed; you, after all, have ever so generously provided sanctuary in Pahadon.”

“The common folk are what make up most of Pahadon’s population. We need the money, and I’ll be if we don’t receive it.”

“Your Majesty,” Delire interrupted the two, yet remained ever so fearful of the Regalia that laid in her brother’s king’s hands, “mayhap Rakel may have another means of bringing in frond.”

“Then let’s hear it. Rakel, if you may…” He smirked at her, eye to eye with her, so that she knew that he had every ounce of control over her. One mistake, and it would mean the end for her dear Edaine. And know she did.

“I propose a mercenary group, Your Highness, sponsored in the name of Pahadon. A fourth of the frond would-”

“Half Rakel. If I sponsor you, I need the money to do so-”

“A third then. The mercenaries would want the money to continue their work.”

Furchwille sighed, admitting defeat to the girl he had lost to so many, many times before. But his grip on the Regalia tightened. “A third it is. But I want results. If you do not meet the designated amount of frond within a moons time, not only will you have to repay me personally, and you know what will happen to precious Edaine.”

Rakel nodded to “her king”. She had survived Himaha for 13 years, and came with Edaine to Pahadon seeking sanctuary, personally to Delire. She came from the blazes back into the blazes and ended under the employ of a tyrant. “I understand Your Highness. Thank you for the op-”

“You are dismissed. Get out.” Furchwille pointed at the silver door. Rakel, without saying a word, bowed and left, her ponytailed hair bouncing with each silent step she took. “Now, Delire.” A hand went up to her chin, turning her head rapidly as she stared into her brother’s crimson eyes, a hue identical to her own. “I give you the task of supervising this project. I expect honest reports or... do you so desire to end up like Father?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” She quickly shifted away from her brother, yet faced him all the same. Her eyes did not meet his, for one glance and he would know that she had lied, and, undoubtedly, he would execute her. The rage for the involvement in the murder of their her father still burned within her for the past 21 years.

“It’s a shame Delire.” He paused and grinned madly to himself, “the Aura Reader has a lot of promise. If only she was... MORE OF A LAMB.” He swung forth his axe and drove it into the wooden table, causing it and all the tomes on it, to collapse. “I’ll prove her wrong. She doesn’t know anything, ANYTHING, about money. She doesn’t, she doesn’t…” “Brothe-”

“THAT’S YOUR HIGHNESS TO YOU.” He barked into her face, although her reaction didn’t change.

“Your Highness. Dare you to think that, mayhap, there is a reason to the lack of frond in the castle?” Silence, a good sign, so Delire continued, “When Father was murdered, so his colleagues and their house fell into ruin. House Ridessia, House Colik, House Novin and so many others. They would still support you if-”

“You really give a care about that? I needed to teach them a lesson...and a lesson they were taught. They were weak old men anyways. Just like Father. They would have ruined my country, sister. I saved Pahadon. Me, and me alone. I saved this country and the Regalia is in hands to someone who truly deserves to wield it.” Naturally, Delire’s crimson eyes went up to the axe within her brother’s hand, Kulana. Although she was young, she remembered the color of the trim of Kulana when her father held the Regalia with pride, t’was golden, just like his heart. Now, the trim was crimson, but not like her hair or eyes, no, a crimson akin to the color of blood.

When her brother had finally dismissed her, Delire went after the brunette Aura Reader, and found her almost immediately. To be fair, it was never a daunting task, for she wore mage robes of silver and jade and was unusually tall for the age of fifteen (the added height of her mage hat that she never took off only contributed to this). Rakel sat within the library, with tomes stacked into messy piles beside her, as she stroked the feather of her crow, Wasin. Gnawing at her boots was Silver, nearly 2 months, a wyvern which Delire had gifted the brunette herself.

Before Delire could speak, Rakel did it for her. “Finally dismissed, eh? It’s about time.” Delire approached her, “Well you know him. Went on a full tangent about how he “saved” this country. Everytime, I ask myself, what would Pahana think about this?”

“Pahana doesn’t care. She’s too busy up in the Sacred Realm with all of the other of her kind to care about us. After all, they were banished by us.”

“But what if she does care? They can still look down on us from far above in the Realm.”

“Like she does.” Then there was silence. Rakel was right. Despite bearing Pahana’s brand on her hip, she knew Pahana didn’t care. Why should she after all?

“Say, Delire.” Rakel stopped petting her crow, which earned a screech from such, and picked up Silver (who was rightly named). For a second, Delire swore she saw the birthmark that surrounded Rakel’s left eye glow a purple before returning to its original peach color. “Why don’t we kill the king?”

“GARRETH, I’VE GOT THE ROAST AND THE POTATOES!” Upon hearing his name being called, Garreth went into the kitchen grabbing the said food from his sister, before bringing it over to a pair of merchants. The bar was unusually quiet for the midday rush (excluding his sister’s shouts), with whispers hanging from everyone’s mouths. Everyone was talking about it; the regulars, the travelers, the merchants, the mercenaries, the drunks, everyone.

About two days before, another village near the Kacion-Kawainia border was attacked by bandits. There was nothing special about the village in question, it was just there and attacked for being there. Houses and crops were lit aflame, the villagers being held hostage; they still would be if not for the mercenary. The rumors said that she single-handedly disposed of all the bandits, used magic to restore the houses and crops and even brought a man back from the dead. So, having the girl sitting in the tavern ever so casually would cause people to talk.

“That’s the hero over at Omoe? She seems so calm.”

“Why does she have a crow with red at the tips of it’s feathers? And what’s with the overgrown lizard?”

“Ye idiot! ‘At’s a wyvern! Purebred one too!”

Being the only waiter (and gentleman) that Garreth is, he walked over to the girl who currently was leaning on her chair, feet propped up on the wooden table.

“Ma’am, would you like to hear our special?” the blond inquired her.

“Nah, I’m good. T’would like a whole roast and a chicken wing though.” Upon her order, the crow that was perched on her shoulder screeched and jabbed at her cheek, with no reaction from her. “Fine, and raw fish, if you would.”

“Ma’am, aren’t you a person short for the roast? Usually-"

“No. I can eat a lot, plus these two will want some. Now stop hogging up the roast.” She snickered at her pun.

“AHAHA, Garreth, ‘ever knew you were a ladies man!” His brother, Ruben, reached over the table, only to wrap his arm around his neck and rub his head with his knuckle. “Trust me, that lass was into you! ‘Nd trust me, I know what I’m talking about!” “Yeah, sure ya do…” sighed Mia, the oldest of the trio. “That’s why you always have some lass up at the door confessing her undying love t’ya only for the poor dear’s heart to be crushed. Ya really are Father’s son…” She sat down at the tavern table that they always sat at for dinner, whatever was left over from the day. Ruben, upon hearing the mention of Father, let go of Garreth and sat down, an uncomfortable atmosphere present.

Garreth didn’t remember his father much, as both he and his mother died when the Half-Half disease roamed unrelentingly through both of the continents. From what he knew, Ruben also caught the disease but survived. Ruben, or so they say, was a mirror image of the father, tall, toned with dark hair that ended with his jawline; they both were good flirts as well. Mia and Garreth were scrawnier with dirty-blond hair and much more paler.

“Listen, I need to go.” Ruben stood up from the table, his fish barely touched, “‘Cording to that lass, there is a pack of Leiches near.” Mia stared at him, eyes widened with fright.

“Sis, come on! It’s 'or the village-” “But what about us?! Ya've always been running off, into danger Ruben! Just sit dow-” “Mia. Ruben. Just stop.” Garreth attempted to interrupt, but to no avail. Leiches were a touchy subject to Mia, and understandably so. She knew firsthand what the beasts could do.

Their shouts became louder and louder, as they each argued with passion. This happened often, but everytime, he felt trapped, as if forced to pick a side. One fought for family, the other for the village. So, doing what he normally would do, Garreth slipped out, unnoticed by the two (ignoring Mia’s now sobs). The tavern door closed behind him, silently as he went to the barracks. In Nakawai’s honesty, he never fought with a weapon much, Mia insisted that he didn’t while Ruben did the fighting for two of them. The village was eerily silent, and a caw of a crow could be heard (the mercenary’s, no doubt). As the sunset, he hurriedly opened the door to the barracks, facing the Captain.

“Aye, boy.” The Captain of the village militia, Dursel, stood in front of him. “Aint ‘cha Ruben’s brother? Where is he?” He twiddled with his mustache, staring intensely at him.

“Sir! Ruben can not make it tonight. I will be replacing him in the watch.” He bowed to the Captain as Ruben had taught him (a form of respect, according to his brother). “Oh boy. Tonight there is no watch. The Leiches are already here; the mercenary lass said so. Our scouts confirmed this.” He paused, letting the information sink in, “Tonight, we fight for our lives.”

His brown orbs widened as a chill went up his spine. Leiches, here, by his village. A sense of dread and fear came over him as he recalled Mia retelling her encounter with Leiches (through sobs, mind you). “Sir,” he didn’t know why he was doing it; it was as if he had lost all control of his body, yet here he was, doing this, “I volunteer in place of my brother to defend our good village of Zeil from the Leiches!” He held his hand up to his forehead, saluting the general.

“Aye, if yer so sure. The mercenary lass will be aiding us; you’ll be working under her command.” Dursel glared at him, still stroking his mustache, “You are dismissed. The mercenary is by the front village gates.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you sir!” And with that, Garreth exited the barracks, grabbing a spear made of iron that laid next to the door.

The sun had set remarkably lower from when he had entered the barracks and even thing seemed lifeless, the wooden houses were not illuminated, the many gardens of his neighbors, still, as if frozen in time. The sense of dread crept upon Garreth again, with a horrid realization, he might die.The thought alone stopped Garreth in his tracks, the thought that he would never again set foot into the tavern, the thought that he would never see Mia and Ruben again. By now, he was sure, that they had noticed he was missing, but where were they? They knew of the Leiches, but-

“Aye, you.” A familiar sharp voice echoed in the silent village. He turned his head, only to realize that he was near the front gate and had been standing there for a while. The mercenary stared at him, which made him realizing how intimidating her silver eyes were. “Garreth, didn’t know you were in the militia. Get your sorry butt over here!”

“Ye-yes righ-” He started to walk over to her and the small band of his fellow villagers (who were all equally quiet) before stopping at her sudden rudeness. He knew, from experience, that mercenaries usually have sharp tongues, and were rather blunt, but coming from a “hero”? That’s what surprised him. “Pardon? "Sorry butt"? I don’t care if you just saved a village, who do you think you’re talking to like that?”

“I’m talkin’ to ya. Get over here. Is that better?” She mocked him as a crow screeched. Garreth went to open his mouth before being stopped by her, “Let me guess. “Who do you think you are?” Well, name’s Rakel, a mercenary being sponsored by Your Majesty, King Furchwille I- may the gods bless him and long may he live- of Pahadon.”

Pahadon, the tyranny of Pahadon. A mercenary being sponsored by the king. Mayhap, she was such a good fighter which was why she was being sponsored. This was a good thing. “Sorry Rakel. May you lead us to victory.” Such simple words, but they meant a lot. He was putting his life in this stranger’s hands. She could very easily end it, but, something told him she wouldn’t. Trust was a funny thing, as he still didn’t know where his siblings are.

“Alright then men. Leiches, I assume you've heard the stories, yes?” Rakel paused, listening to the small waves of murmurs that washed over the crowd of fifteen men, “Leiches...the dead’s bodies reanimated, courtesy of the Demon Goddess’s magic. Now, I ask ya, has a woman of purple hair been sighted in this area as of late?”

“No, Ma’am!” Several of the men shouted. But Garreth was a bit confused. What did purple hair have to do with this? Wasn’t the Demon Goddess sealed away in the Jade River of Kau Mohana?

“Ma’am, why would pur-" Garreth started before being cut off.

“Listen well Garreth. All of you as well. No one, not even in legends, has purple hair. Only the Gods are described as that. That's how ya tell.” Garreth wasn't sure of it, but a fire raged in Rakel’s eyes when she said “God". Nonetheless, he was impressed by her knowledge. “According to rumors, they say the Demon Goddess escaped from her prison thirteen years ago. That's why the Leiches are back.” Everything about her was impressive; her demeanor, her status, her-

“GARRETH! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!” A shrill voice screeched into the air, one to rival the crow from before. He knew who it was. He slowly turned his head around; at this point, Leiches were nowhere near as terrifying as Mia fuming and running over to him. “GARRETH, WHEN I GET MY FILTHY HANDS ON YOU, YOU’LL BE DEADER THAN THOSE LEICHES!”

Oh no, he was a dead man. Dead in those most embarrassing way possible; he would never hear the end of this.

“Ms, would you mind calming down? Reckon your neighbors don’t appreciate the noise.” Rakel opened a tome (which she had apparently been holding this entire time) before moving her mouth, though no words came out.

Rakel sighed, closing her tome, before facing Garreth. “Thank Ihma that her mind was so clouded; made it easy to control her.”

“What do you mean control her? What did you do to my sister?!” Garreth shouted at her. She may have saved his skin, but what had she done?

“Simple mind manipulation spell. That's all you need to know, other than I expect you to fight extra hard now. Anyways,” she gazed at the scarlet sky, and reached her hand out. As if on cue, the crow she had from the tavern flew onto her index finger, making a silent screech. “Captain Dursel’s men will fight the husks head on, we are to do a basic pincer maneuver, I assume you know what that is. You lads are lucky. Anyways, we depart now. Follow me.” Rakel strutted out of the front gate, heading east into the woods.

The pit of fear came back into Garreth’s stomach, the fear of death. He quickly followed the brunette however, feeling that being with her would increase his chances of survival. Six other men followed them (they were much older than the two of them however) as the tense atmosphere traveled with them.

For a while, besides the snapping of twigs and brush, Garreth could hear nothing....then came the slightest sound of metal clashing, which became louder and louder with each step. Garreth then heard the Leiches, an almost gurgling noise, followed by squeals and more metal. Rakel stopped, as did the men, before drawing her bow.

“When my arrow flies, charge. The enemy’s back is to us. Don’t blow this. One...two...THREE!” At three, her arrow was released and landed in the back of a Leiches’s skull. The husk didn't even react, as it hit the soil beneath it, before the disintegrating into nothingness.

It was his turn now. Grabbing his spear, he and the other men charged at the Leiches. The pit of fear from before was mostly gone; something about the fighting distracted him, and, mayhap, it was for the best.

Ruben only taught him the basics of a spear. He would have to learn more, if he survived. The 8 remaining men on the other side of the forest also charged at the remaining Leiches (Rakel had probably signaled them as well). It wasn't long before the militia surrounded them.

Garreth tried to move in-sync as best as he can, an impale, a dodge, a kill, another dodge. He tried, he really did. But instead, the Leiches wouldn't go down. Only after about five thrusts, would the husk be slain, but that was too much. He needed to get into momentum.

Rakel, now emerged from the woods, starting casting fire spells, burning the limbs of the Leiches, effectively slowing them down. Her crow would fly and attack where their eyes would be, distracting them, giving the men a chance to attack. As for the silver wyvern, it flew around, without a care.

Garreth dodged a claw by rolling to his left, then impaling the husk in the gut, causing the said Leiche to disintegrate. From what he could tell, he had slain but 4 of the husks. How many were there left? A quick look told him not much, but he couldn't stop there. He had to-

“LEXIMUS FLAMORIGUS!” Rakel chanted, as a pool of lava spat out from beneath the ground, taking out the remaining Leiches in one go. She ran over to Dursel, who had been bleeding from the side. “Thank you men! Aid the injured and go back into the village!” Garreth thought that she didn't know that only Dursel was wounded.

The blond walked over the the brunette and the injured man, before lifting Dursel with his left shoulder. Rakel stood up and did the same, only with her right shoulder. Dursel only scoffed but tried to aid the two to be the best of his ability (needless to say, which wasn't a lot). Garreth was struggling as Dursel, being the stocky man that he is, wasn't light; Rakel on the other hand, had no issue, as if she had done this before.

“Garreth,” Rakel spoke up as they trudged to Zeil. He looked at her, curiously. “I could tell you haven't had proper training, but you have good use of a lance. If you wouldn't mind, why don't you...become a mercenary, for my mercenary group?”

“I uh….I'll think about it, ok?” Garreth replied, somewhat intrigued by her offer. She clearly saw potential in him, and, to be fair, he didn't want to stay in the tavern forever. He had heard tales from travelers about the world, but that wasn't enough for him. He wanted to see the world, to experience it. He thought it would never happen with Mia and her...tendencies. But now, this was his chance. He had to take it or he might not ever get another chance like this.

The front gate was insight. Even from a distance, Garreth could tell that a small crowd had formed, waiting for the militia’s return. Without a doubt, Ruben and Mia would be there, in one piece and ready to give him a scolding. He couldn’t blame them, no, t’would be cruel. The adrenaline rush in his body had ending at an abrupt halt, the weariness sinking into his bones, as he had trudged on with every step. Nevermind the weight of Dursel, who’s energy had also been sapped; if not for Rakel, the two of them wouldn’t be return to Zeil for the night.

Rakel wasn’t tired in the slightest, as if the fight before was nothing but a mere workout to her. And her magic!-Garreth figured she was a mage (due to her hat)-but never realized her magic was so potent! If he remembered correctly, the average mage graduated at age 16 (he was sure she had to be at least 17), so, it wouldn’t be a surprise if that was so.

The closer the trio steeped to the gate, the crowd became more clear, and an eruption of cheers shaked the ground. No one swarmed the gate, rather, they stayed in their place, as if glued there. Mia and Ruben were at the back of the crowd, or, at least Garreth thought they were-there were many girls his age and younger near the back, so Ruben had to be near.

The other members of the militia were at the front, awaiting the arrival of Dursel. Once seeing his condition, the cheers trickled down, to be replaced be whispers and the occasional whimper.

“Where's the medic ‘round here?!” Rakel called out, as the village medic, Rei, stepped out from the crowd, in no rush. She walked up slowly and looked at Dursel’s left hip, before looking at Rakel.

“Were the Leiches claws poisonous?” Wait, Leiches can be poisonous?

“No, none of ‘em were. More common on Mohana then here.” That was a relief.

“A’right, thank you Ms. I’ll have him looked at right away.” The bluenette adjusted her glasses before taking Dursel’s left shoulder and aiding him to the infirmary. The crowd split, like the seas in some legend about the “Plight of the Demon Goddess” (how Garreth remembered that, he didn’t know). Rei was soon replaced by an angry Mia, who looked ready to burst.

“GARRETH, WHERE YA? WHAT WERE YA THINKIN’ RUNNING OFF LIKE THAT! AND FIGHTING THE LEICHES??” Mia held him by his collar. If not for the fact he was afraid of Mia’s wrath, he would be certainly embarrassed about the crowd in front of him. Sure, he knew everyone, but it embarrassed him.

“Ms.” Rakel, who had been watching this entire time walked forward and came in between the two, “I assume that Garreth is your brother, yes? Well, I must tell you, your worriedness is well justified due to his actions. But with no training, his performance surpassed all the other men, excluding the Capt’n’s.”

“I don’t care about that! My brother could’ve died.”

“But did he?”

“What? He didn’t bu-”

“There you go. He’s fine, and performed exceptionally well.”

Mia offered no response, but eyed Garreth; a look that read “We’ll talk about this later. Be grateful she’s saving your butt.” “Ms., come with me.” Mia walked away, with Rakel following her. Garreth, now alone, was embarrassed about what had just happened, in front of the entire village. Ruben was still probably in the back, trying to escape from his band of ever-so-loyal lasses.

Instead of jeers that he was expecting, some villagers rushed over to him (children mostly) with questions.

“How many Leiches were there?” A bright-eyed girl named Fiona called.

“Were they scary?” A boy whimpered.

“How many did you kill?!”

Unsure on what to do, Garreth remained pestered by children until Rakel and Mia (who had red puffy eyes) shooed them away. “Get out’ere you brats! Or I’ll feed you to the wyvern!” The wyvern, at the mention of it, stopped nibbling on Rakel’s ear and let out a screech, scaring the children away, screaming (though Rakel got a good kick to the shin by Fiona). “So, Garreth…” she turned to him, now that the crowd had (mostly) dispersed. “I talked to your sister...about the mercenary offer.”

Rakel and Garreth decided to settle on a hill about 14 miles away from the village of Zeil. He felt bad about leaving Mia in the state that she was (Ruben had to escort her away)-it broke his heart. He wanted to stay-to console her-to help her-but he couldn't. He wanted, no, needed, to go out, to prove himself.

Then, there was a promise. “...she promised…”. Without a doubt, Mia was talking about Rakel, what Rakel had promised, he had no clue. It probably involved him in someway.

“Say, Garreth,” Rakel had finished pitching up her tent and was leaning against a tree, “you almost done there?”

“O-Oh yeah, just give me a minute.” He fiddled with the rope in his hand, trying to tie it around a stake. A sigh could be heard, along with a screech of a creature before a thud.

“Hey, I got us dinner.” He finally managed to tie the rope correctly. His small green tent was slightly crooked, but it would have to do. “Not interested in grouse? Well, we already have a job.”

“What!” Garreth stared at Rakel, “What kind of job?”

“Don't know all the details yet. It's an escort job; we escort some cleric at Port Qual in Haunistan to Menia. We cross into Kawania and head to Venil to meet up with our employer’s representative.”

“Isn't that a four days walk from here?”

“Normally, yes. If we can walk 43 miles these next days, we can get there in two.”

“Oh, Miss Ra-"

“Don't call me that.” She waved her gloved hand in his face, “we need to trust each other if we are traveling with each other.”

“But I trust you! You led us in battle today!”

“You trust me in battle, we need to trust each other as people. How about this? When I first saw you, I knew you were a lil’ country bumpkin who hadn't seen the world. Arrogant, yet happy, like all humans.” The robin she held in her left hand hung there, begging to be roasted and eaten (mayhap Garreth was hungry).

“Country bumpkin? Really?” he sighed, yet was amused nonetheless. “Well, you seemed to calm and a bit cocky, which is to be expected who had saved an entire village. I was...you know, impressed.”

“Cocky, huh? Never heard that to describe an Aura Reader.” She let out a hearty chuckle. Even her crow seemed to snicker.

Katherine paced about in her tiny cottage. Her pegasus, Belle, nudged her arm. Katherine stopped and pet the young pegasus, trying to ease her worries, alas, to no avail. Tanja was not yet here. Tanja was never out so long unless-oh no.

Katherine looked out the window, looking for her childhood friend. There was a knock at the door. Katherine run over and hurriedly opened it, revealing her hooded friend at the door.

“Tan-"

“I've got to go.” Her toned hand reached up to the purple scarf that she always wore, and pulled it up to cover the bottom of her face. “I'm sorry Kath.”

“No!” Katherine reached out and grabbed her friend, whose blue orbs refused to meet her green ones. “What did you do?”

“I-I killed the mayor. I killed him for my job.” Katherine gasped and grabbed her friend tighter. “They're looking for me. Here. This was the money I earned.” She slipped out of Katherine’s grasp and put a relatively heavy bag of frond in her hand. “I'm sorry.” Tanja ran off, towards the slums of Venil.

“Tanj-AH!” Belle had grabbed one of Katherine’s golden braids with her mouth and pulled her inside the cottage. Katherine cried, the bag of the blood money in hand.

Sorry this took a while! I was out of the country and the rates are expensive. So, here's a chapter to compensate!

“Here you go,” the Aura Reader, handing Garreth some lightweight armor as he waited on the crowded streets of Venil, “not much, but it'll keep your vitals safe. Should be your size.”

“My size?! How do you know my size?!” He yelled flustered.

Rakel chuckled to herself, ignoring Silver who was biting her ear, “If I told you, that would ruin the secret.”

“Gods forbid...I thought we were trying to trust each other…” He felt bad bringing this up, knowing Rakel had told him about Himaha, her negelent family, and life on the frontlines. The once beautiful country was now a uninhabitable wasteland, according to Rakel. “A-Anyways, the meeting with Lord Sepriam’s representative is tomorrow, yeah?”

“Yep, we'll need to impress them. If we do...we'll have another sponsor!” Rakel clapped once before taking out a small pouch and handing it to Garreth, “Go buy yourself a new spear.”

“Wait, isn't this the money from Zeil?” He recalled that when the duo had left the village, they had received a sum for their service by the headman.

“Yep, all yours now. I would like the change however.” She looked around and pulled Silver off of her shoulder, “This is getting hungry, aren’tcha?” The wyvern cooed and bit Rakel’s nose, causing it to slightly bleed. Garreth quietly shuffled away and Silver flew away, with Rakel furiously chasing after her.

Walking out with a newly forged steel spear in hand, Garreth headed towards a tavern near the Venilian slums, hoping to find Rakel. The sun was setting and being in the slums, actually, any slums, at this time was basically begging to be mugged. Garreth picked up his pace, hurrying towards tavern, thinking of the tavern and the tavern alone.

“SIR!” Someone had jumped on him from behind, a female, judging by weight and voice. When Garreth turned around, he saw a young woman with two golden braids, thinner than one should be. Her clothes, hair and skin, dirt stained, hands holding a rope that led to a white pegasus. “P-Please! You ha-ave to help me!” She choked on a sob.

“Yes ma’am. I need you to calm down…” Garreth awkwardly patted the woman’s back as she hyperventilated. “Can you tell me your name?”

“T-Tanja! I know she just did something unf-forgivable-" she hiccuped before continuing, “I just want my friend back!”

“What did she do?” Garreth asked calmly, which calmed Katherine down too.

“S-She…” her voice trailed off and she whimpered, “she killed Mayor Ekal…” His face paled. This Tanja murdered somebody. And for what? “We need money. She takes on jobs by the some ruffians ‘cause they pay more. I always say to her, “That's not ethical! You shouldn't beat up people because they said too!” She never listens. Said hardwork won't get no one nowhere.”

“Miss, do you know where she is?”

“Nuh-uh. Know the guards are looking for her.” Finally calmed down (to an extent), Katherine pointed east, away from the tavern. “Saw ‘em run thataway. Tanja went in that direction too!” Katherine ran off, still with the pegasus in the rope. Sighing, Garreth followed.

“There she is!” Katherine pointed to the graynette who was fleeing from about 20 guards. “We haffta help her! Please sir!”

“Y-yeah, but I reckon the guards aren't gonna stop chasing her because we asked them too.” Garreth gulped. He was going to fight humans now, not Leiches, humans. He would be no better than Tanja. “Katherine, here.” He handed the blonde his iron spear. “Get on top your pegasus and fight this.”

“R-right.” She quickly hopped on the pegasus, who seemed a bit too small for her, before the creature started to fly off the ground.

In all honesty, Garreth didn't have a reason to fight with Katherine. Mayhap he felt bad for her, or he could save Tanja’s life (the guards would try to kill her onsight). Maybe that's why, he thought. He internally apologized to Rakel for not meeting up with her, though she probably knew where he was.

The steel spear was heavier than expected, slowing Garreth down considerably as he ran. He hit a guard with the handle of the spear, knocking the wind out of him, before being hit again, rendering him unconscious.

His attack was not silent in the slightest, as Garreth found himself surrounded by guards, swords and spears at the ready. A white flash flew past him, causing two of the guards to fall down. Katherine sat upon her pegasus, a blaze in her eyes. She held her spear awkwardly as it was just a head shorter than her. “You won't get to her. I swear on my life.”She took off again, trampling over the two guards that had fell. A chill went up Garreth’s spine as he heard a crunch and metal grating.

Tanja was running, faster than anything Garreth had scene. Guards still followed her, receiving arrow after arrow in return. Luckily, Tanja let them loose as she was running, not giving them a lot of strength behind them. Garreth chased after the guards, knocking them unconscious with Katherine’s aid.

“HEY!” An arrow flew past his cheek, scraping it. He could feel the blood slowly trickle out of his scratch, but there was nothing he could do. The a guard thrusted a spear at him, Garreth rolled to left, almost crashing into an abandoned stall before hitting the guard with the spear. The guard blocked it, and prepared to impale Garreth.

“TAKE THIS YOU-WHAT THE-?” The guard and several of his comrades were blown off their feet, before crashing into a variety of different objects, shed, stalls, houses and pillars.

At the entrance to the alley, in her gloriance, was Rakel, tome floating underneath her left hand fro, which she had cast the spell with. She ran over (more like teleported over, she was that quick). “What in Ihma’s name is happening here?”

“There's a woman that I'm trying to save. I know she just killed someone but she deserves to live!” Rakel nodded and helped Garreth up, although she refused to look him in the eye.

“Did this woman kill Mayor Ekal perchance?”

“Mhmm.” Rakel's head sunk. She was deep in thought.

“That sure complicates things…”

“How so?” Garreth questioned her.

“Well...the captain here hired me to track her down, dead or alive. ‘Nd here you are protecting her...what to-" Her eyes lit up as she looked at Tanja. “Hmmm...I'll have a word with her.”

“NO YOU WON'T YOU SLEEZY MER-" Katherine had overheard their conversation. The pegasus angrily neighed at Rakel, taking a disgust in her.

“I'll just talk to her and help her...I too, was in the same boat as her once. There's only 4 guards left, we can talk later.” Rakel withdrew her sword, before charging at the guards. Garreth shrugged at Katherine, who wore a look of confusion on her face before following Rakel. Katherine sighed, before her and Belle took to the skys.

“...He did. And I would do it again, the only thing holding me back would be you. I swear, I considered you, but I realized, you were better off without someone like me.”

“IDIOT!” Katherine cried harder and began to hiccup. “We've known each s-since the orphanage! Always together, you and me!”

“Pardon to interrupt this ever-so-heartwarming moment,” Rakel mused, from a stall she was leaning on, “would you mind telling me about this Warren? I kind of have a job to do, but I want to help you.” Katherine’s wailing reduced to sniffles, as she and Tanja looked at the brunette.

“Go on.” Tanja replied still patting Katherine’s back.

“If I trade in Warren and say you, let's say, disappeared, it helps both of us. I get paid, you go free. Does that sound like a deal?” Rakel stuck out her right hand.

“Tanj, wait.” Katherine piped in, “It could be a trap! She could turn you in!” Now it was Garreth’s turn to intervene.

“You dare say that about Rakel? She helped out your friend, knowing she could lose her job! She wouldn't resort to trickery like that!”

“Garreth. Don't speak on my behalf, especially when you're assuming things.” A smirk spread across Rakel’s face, “Besides, who's to say that I wouldn't do that?” Rakel wouldn't, would she? Certainly, he would never resort to such tactics…

“Kath, thank you. But I trust her. What if she speaks the truth? T’would be killing two fowls with one stone.”

“Wise choice. Lead the way Tanja. Garreth, come hither if you wish too. Katherine, you too. And don't forget that demon pegasus of yours.”

Warren stood in the alleyway, veiled in the night. Night was a thief's best friend, or so they said. But in the night, no one saw him. He wanted to be known, he wanted people to cower at the sight of him-no, cower at the mere mention of his name. His stunts, always performed in the daylight, wrote fear into the mind's of the citizens. There was nothing he couldn't, nothing he wouldn't steal, and they knew that. He knew it.

One of his (useless) goons walked up to him, looking for any signs of the city patrol. “It's done. Ekal is dead.”

“Good, that dog made for a terrible father; terrible husband and mayor too. I assume the patrol is chasing Tanja now."

“From what I saw, yes.”

Warren chuckled to himself, “She deserves it. Shame though, she has plenty of potential. If only she didn't have that “friend” ‘f hers.” He spat on the ground, “Now, we get to work. They'll be chasing her ‘till their feet come clean off. Even after that, they'll follow her I reckon. Gives us plenty of time.” He laughed again.

Life never gave anything to anyone who worked for it. No, then that would be no fun. Life’s unfair and Warren found that out the hard way. You had to break all the rules in the book sometimes to achieve what you wanted. And break the rules he did. Now, he hardly worked and still got what he wanted. Life right now was good and it wasn't going to change, he was sure of it.

I decided to make a mini timeline of the world of Zen'Sera's MAJOR events. I will be gone for a week and I thought this would be good to sate your interest of this story. Key: BB is Before Banishment, AB is After Banishment

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|__3513 BB: Zen'Sera is created

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3513 BB:Twenty-two gods are created__|

|__ 3513 BB: Zen'Sera is populated with humans

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3512 BB: First DraKaui is born__ |

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|__3504 BB: Magic is gifted to humans

3498 BB: The first Ma'Kanu is created__|

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|__3407 BB: DraKaui tribes are established

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|__2513 BB: Lekar, the Great Sage, is born

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1345 BB: Fiya declares war on humanity__|

|__1344 BB: Fiya creates the first Leiche

1337 BB: Fiya is defeated__|

|__1336 BB: Fiya is sealed in the Jade River

1336 BB: Lekar seals away the Leiches__|

|__1330 BB: Fiya becomes the "Demon Goddess"

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|__1210 BB: 22 kingdoms are founded by the gods

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545 BB: Ahi turns his kingdom into a desert__|

after losing a gambling match |

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|__0: Lekar uses the Regalia to seal away the gods

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|__513 AB: Lekar is betrayed and killed

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1305 AB: King of Pahana, Renis__|

and his colleagues are killed |

|__1313 AB: The Himahian Invasion starts

1313 AB: Fiya escapes her prison__|

and her Leiches are revived |

|__The Half-Half plague kills 1/4 of the population

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1313 AB: The DraKaui go into hiding__|

|__1320 AB: Auhin invades Kelamn

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1326 AB: Himaha falls__|

|__1328 AB: Story begins here

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Formatting this was a nightmare. Anyways, I hope this helps with any questions you might have with Zen'Sera and some details of the story. Syalla later!